UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd had recently brought in the Toyota Prius hybrid into Malaysian market, and they expect to sell 100 unit so the hybrid car by end of the year. Read the full news from Bernama below.

UMW TOYOTA MOTOR AIMS TO SELL 100 UNIT OF TOYOTA PRIUS BY END OF THE YEAR

PETALING JAYA, Aug 3 (Bernama) – UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd expects to sell 100 units of Prius by year-end and another 300 units next year.

Its president, Kuah Kock Heng, said the company would accept bookings from Aug 7, marking a new era for the Malaysian car industry.

Kuah said the Prius has proven that hybrid technology was viable, durable and one of the best ways to preserve the environment while at the same time maximising natural resources.

“As a result, hybrid technology is now a mainstream option being adopted by carmakers,” he told reporters at a preview of the Prius here Monday.

On why it took so long for the company to bring in the Prius, Kuah said manufacturing costs for hybrid cars were higher compared to petrol car.

“With the previous duty structure it was not viable to bring in the car,” he said.

He said the 50 percent excise duty exemption on new completely-built-up hybrid cars last year made it possible to bring them in.

However, he said, the exemption was up to December 2010 only.

Kuah appealed to the government to continue with the tax waiver and provide additional incentives for hybrid cars to make it viable to sell in Malaysia.

On Toyota’s move to launch the new Camry 2.5-engine capacity in Thailand soon, Kuah said it would not be viable for the Malaysian market as the 50 percent tax waiver was only eligible for cars below 2-litre engine capacity.

Meanwhile, Kuah said UMW Toyota had prepared its centres in Subang, Penang, Johor Bahru, Cheras and soon in Ipoh to service the Prius.

The all-new third generation Prius, first launched in the US and recently in Japan and Australia, has received tremendous response.

In Japan, in spite of the soft economic conditions, it has become the top seller with more than 31,000 units sold and more than 200,000 units booked.

The Prius is priced at RM175,000 in Peninsular Malaysia, inclusive of insurance for private registration.

Related car facts

• THE WORLD MOST SUCCESSFUL HYBRID CAR NOW IN MALAYSIA – TOYOTA PRIUS (0)
• THE 125TH HONDA CIVIC HYBRID HITS THE ROAD (2)
• 2010 RENAULT MEGANE COUPE GT + 2010 HYUNDAI BLUE-WILL PLUG-IN HYBRID CONCEPT (1)
• TOYOTA PRIUS WILL SOON ARRIVE IN MALAYSIA (2)
• TOYOTA PRIUS BIGFOOT MONSTER TRUCK (2)